IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heav’n’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing!
All ye, beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the clinbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hast’ning on
By prophets seen of old
When with the ever circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When Christ shall come and all shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing
A PURITAN CATECHISM
51. What is required in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his Word, expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to himself.
52. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
One day in seven should be especially devoted to corporate worship and other spiritual exercises that restore the soul’s rest in God and zeal for His Name. It should provide physical refreshment and fit one for a week of devoted service to Christ.
53. Which is the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment is, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your God gives you."
54. What is required in the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honor, and performing the duties belonging to every one in their various positions and relationships as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
55. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity — as far as it shall serve for God's glory, and their own good — to all such as keep this commandment.
December 15, 2024
FULLNESS OF GRACE
Fullness of grace in man’s human frailty
This is the wonder of Jesus
Laying aside His power and glory
Humbly He entered our world.
Chose the path of meanest worth
Scandal of a virgin birth
Born in a stable, cold and rejected:
Here lies the hope of the world.
Fullness of grace, the love of the Father
Shown in the face of Jesus
Stooping to bear the weight of humanity
Walking the Calvary road
Christ the holy innocent
Took our sin and punishment
Fullness of God, despised and rejected:
Crushed for the sins of the world.
Fullness of hope in Christ we had longed for
Promise of God in Jesus
Through His obedience we are forgiven
Op’ning the flood-gates of heav’n
All our hopes and dreams we bring
Gladly as an offering
Fullness of life and joy unspeakable:
God’s gift in love to the world.
CHILD OF MERCY
Child of mercy, child of peace,
Jesus, Bread of life, food to fill our longing.
Child of justice, child of light,
Jesus, saving cup, Emmanuel, God with us.
All who walk in darkness have seen a great light,
To those who dwell in fear, a light has shone!
Refrain
A child is born to us, a son is given us,
Upon his shoulder glory rests!
Refrain
(Ladies: "Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis Deo! Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis De-o!")
We name him: "Wonder, couns'lor, hero, mighty God,"
The Holy One for ever: Prince of peace!
Refrain
(Ladies: "Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis Deo! Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis De-o!")
We proclaim good news to you, great tidings of joy:
To you is born a saviour: Christ the Lord!
Refrain
(Ladies: "Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis Deo! Glo-ri-a! In Excelsis De-o!")
INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY
Infant holy, infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the Babe, is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing
Noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ, the Babe, is Lord of all!
Christ, the Babe, is Lord of all!
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story
Tidings of a gospel true
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow
Praises voicing greet the morrow:
Christ, the Babe, was born for you!
Christ, the Babe, was born for you!
O COME, ALL YOU UNFAITHFUL
O come, all you unfaithful
Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone
O come, barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
O come, bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come, taste of His perfect love
O come, guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done
Refrain
He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
So come, though you have nothing
Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done
Refrain
SING OUT, EARTH AND SKIES
1. Come, O God of all the earth:
Come to us, O Righteous One;
Come, and bring our love to birth:
In the glory of your Son.
Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you!
Raise your joyful cries!
Dance to the life around you!
2. Come, O God of wind and flame:
Fill the earth with righteousness;
Teach us all to sing your name:
May our lives your love confess.
Sing out...
3. Come, O God of flashing light:
Twinkling star and burning sun;
God of day and God of night:
In your light the battle's won!
Sing out...
4. Come, O God of snow and rain:
Shower down upon the earth;
Come, O God of joy and pain:
God of sorrow, God of mirth.
Sing out...
5. Come, O Justice, Come, O Peace:
Come and shape our hearts anew;
Come and make oppression cease:
Bring us all to life in you.
Sing out...
SCRIPTURE READING
Leviticus 27
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty
Maker of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, our Lord
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
Was crucified, dead, and buried
He descended into hades
The third day He rose again from the dead
He ascended in to heaven
And sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The holy catholic church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting
Amen.
LET THE NATIONS TREMBLE (PSALM 99A)
Let the nations tremble,
For the LORD is reigning from His throne above the angels.
Let the earth be shaken!
High above all nations is the LORD, great King in Zion.
Let them all Praise Your name, Awesome and Majestic;
For He is most holy.
King of might and power, He whose strength loves justice.
Equity You have established.
In the midst of Jacob You have executed perfect righteousness and justice
Praise the LORD, Praise our God;
Worship at His footstool, for He is most holy.
Moses was with Aaron numbered in his priesthood,
So, too, Samuel invoked Him.
They called on the LORD's name; He gave them His answer,
Speaking from the cloudy pillar.
They obeyed, giving heed to the word He gave them, and His testimonies.
LORD, our God, You answered; You, O God, forgave them,
Though You chastened them for evil.
Highest exaltation unto Him be given,
For the LORD out God is holy.
Bowing down to the LORD,
Give our God your worship at His holy mountain.
SERMON
Luke 10:21-24
COMMUNION*
Communion at CTK is celebrated weekly. If you are not a Covenant Member of our church, you are welcome to commune with us provided two things:
First, you are "in Christ" (you have repented of your sins and turned in faith to Christ alone for salvation).
Second, we ask that you be a "Faithful Church Member" of another local body (a regular attender, active participant, not under discipline). If one of our Covenant Members can vouch for these things, you are welcome to celebrate with us!